easing off

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easing off" is correct and is often used in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe a situation of gradual decrease, relaxation, or slowing down. For example, "The weather had been quite hot recently, but now it's easing off."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think all this is easing off though.

The New York Times

For the past 10 months, authorities have been easing off on the cruder sorts of crackdowns.

The Washington Post

Cable networks have begun easing off on their coverage of the president's campaign rallies.

The Washington Post

I'd got a good gap by then and I was easing off to avoid any problems.

The Guardian - Sport

6.32pm BST 70 mins: You know what I said about the rain easing off earlier?

The Guardian - Sport

Oil prices flirted around $55 a barrel twice this week before easing off each time.

The New York Times

"With prices easing off, we've got some people saying there's no crisis now.

The New York Times

To stop, he advised me to ignore the brakes and instead concentrate on easing off the gas pedal.

The New York Times

Van Niekerk won the gold medal in the 400 on Tuesday, easing off to finish in 43.98 seconds.

The New York Times - Sports

The pound easing off 9-month highs, reached in the previous session, also offered support to the FTSE.

The Guardian - Business

And it isn't really a safety issue, since a driver's reflexive response -- easing off the accelerator -- instantly cures the problem.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "easing off" when you want to convey a gradual reduction or relaxation in effort, intensity, or pressure. It is suitable for describing trends, physical activities, or even abstract concepts.

Common error

Avoid using "easing off" to describe an abrupt cessation or a complete stop. This phrase implies a gradual process, so it's not appropriate for situations that involve immediate halts or sudden endings. For example, instead of saying 'The rain eased off suddenly', use 'The rain stopped suddenly'.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "easing off" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating a gradual reduction in intensity, effort, or pressure. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this expression. As the examples in Ludwig show, it commonly appears in descriptions of weather changes, economic trends, and physical activities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sports

25%

Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrasal verb "easing off" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a gradual reduction in intensity, effort, or pressure. As demonstrated by Ludwig, it frequently appears in news, sports, and business contexts. While versatile, it's important to avoid using it to describe sudden stops. Alternatives like ""letting up"" or ""slowing down"" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Ludwig's analysis confirms its broad applicability and provides numerous real-world examples to guide its effective use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

letting up

Implies a reduction in intensity or severity, similar to "easing off".

tapering off

Emphasizes a gradual decrease, especially towards the end of something, similar to a planned "easing off".

slackening

Suggests a decrease in pace or effort, akin to "easing off" but may imply a more significant reduction.

becoming less intense

Directly states a reduction in intensity, mirroring the effect of "easing off".

slowing down

Focuses on the reduction of speed or activity, comparable to one aspect of "easing off".

decelerating

Implies a reduction in speed, specifically, similar to "easing off" in a driving context.

receding

Describes a gradual retreat or decline, similar to how pressure or intensity might "ease off".

relenting

Suggests a yielding or softening, similar to how pressure or control might "ease off".

diminishing

Indicates a reduction in size, importance, or intensity, much like the lessening implied by "easing off".

taking it easy

Focuses on reducing effort or strain, representing a more relaxed approach like "easing off".

FAQs

How can I use "easing off" in a sentence?

You can use "easing off" to describe a gradual reduction or relaxation. For example, "The pressure is "easing off" now that the deadline has passed" or "The runner started "easing off" as he approached the finish line".

What are some synonyms for "easing off"?

Some alternatives to "easing off" include "letting up", "slackening", "slowing down", and "tapering off", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "easing off of" something?

While not grammatically incorrect, the phrase "easing off" is generally preferred over "easing off of". The "of" is often unnecessary and can make the sentence sound less concise. Therefore, use "easing off" whenever possible.

What's the difference between "easing off" and "slacking off"?

"Easing off" generally implies a gradual reduction in effort or intensity due to external factors or a planned strategy. "Slacking off", on the other hand, suggests a deliberate reduction in effort, often due to laziness or lack of motivation. It has a more negative connotation.